Bahia de Caraquez (ECBHA)

The port is closed for commercial operations. Information for the port is retained should the port reopen. Bahia de Caraquez is a small roadstead port. Vessels must anchor some 3nm from the port. Castor seed (the ports main export) is loaded by 300t capacity lighters. The lighters may only cross the bar at high water and hence, a round trip may take three hours plus time for loading the lighters.

Tropical.

Bahia de Caraquez is approx 550nm S of the Panama Canal.

Offshore draught 7.8m.

Outer anchorage: Vessels anchor about 1.5nm WNW of Punta Bellaca in a depth of about 12m.

The port is approached through the estuary of Rio Chone between Punta Bellaca (00°37'S 080°27'W) and Punta El Napo 0.3nm NNE, and entered between the N end of Bahia de Caraquez and San Vicente, 0.8nm ENE.

BA 1782, 3092. Ecuadorean 1031. Admiralty Pilot NP7.

1025-1027.

Not compulsory, but available.

Local knowledge is required owing to the changing nature of the shoals and shallow bar. The channels are navigable by smaller vessels. Deeper draught vessels anchor in the roads.

Range 2.8-3.8m.

Not available.

Prevailing winds: W-NW'ly.

Radio Costera Guayaquil is the recommended station for passing messages at long range. The station works from 0800-2359hrs. Inmarsat communication is not possible. VHF: Via Manta Radio (callsign "HCM"). HF/VHF/UHV/CW.

Customs allowances: There is no specific allowance set by Customs. However, personal effects should be limited to one item such as one TV, one radio, etc. Penalties for non compliance result in excess/undeclared items being confiscated. Immigration: Passports have to be presented. Crew and passengers proceeding ashore must be in possession of a passport and shore pass which will be inspected.

..... Document Copies PC CU PO IM DR AG Total 1. General Declaration 1 1 1 1 - 1 5 2. Crew List 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 3. Passenger List 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 4. Ship's Stores Declaration 1 1 1 1 - 1 5 5. Personal Effects List 1 1 1 1 - 1 5 6. Mail Waybill 1 1 1 1 - 1 5 7. Health Declaration 1 - - - 1 1 3 8. Vaccination List 1 - - - 1 1 3 Special forms for completion by the Master are delivered onboard by the local agent on arrival.

Initial ETA has to be sent 72 hours prior to vessel's arrival. If the vessel is arriving from ports in Peru or Colombia then ETA can be sent 24 hours prior to vessel's arrival. The ETA message must be sent by telex addressed to the Port Captain, Immigration, Customs authorities and Health Department. The telex is sent to the Port Captain who will distribute the message to all the above mentioned parties. The same message must be sent by the vessel to the local agent. Additional ETA's must be sent 48 and 24 hours prior to vessel's arrival. The initial ETA has to include the following information: ..... 1. Last port of call 2. Estimated draught on arrival, forward and aft 3. Cargo to discharge (tonnes) 4. Cargo in transit (tonnes) 5. Dangerous cargo to be discharged and in transit (tons/IMO class) 6. Passengers onboard 7. Sick persons onboard 8. Bunker consumption during navigation and at berth 9. Normal speed

For not displaying Interco and/or other flags a vessel may be detained and fined by an amount determined by the local authorities.

A representative of the Health Department boards with Port Authorities on a vessel's arrival. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate or Exemption Certificates can be issued and renewed.

NOR is normally tendered on arrival at first sea pilot station.